It has been alleged that the decision was to create four new states in the 'North' and four new states in the 'South', but when Muhammed announced the creation of states, instead of creating two states (Cross River and Akwa Ibom States) out of the old South-Eastern State, he simply announced the transformation of South-Eastern State into Cross River State.
Ekwuru na mkpebi ahụ bụ ịmepụta steeti ọhụrụ anọ na mpaghara Ugwu na steeti ọhụrụ anọ na ọdịda, mana mgbe Muhammed kwupụtara okike steeti, kama ịmepụta steeti abụọ, (steeti Cross River na Akwa Ibom) site na nke ochie ọdịda anyanwụ nke steeti ọwụwa anyanwụ, ọ kpọrọ mgbanwe nke ọdịda anyanwụ nke steeti ọwụwa anyanwụ gaa steeti Cross River.